Here is the first peek at the much-anticipated “Da Vinci’s Demons,” the upcoming Starz series about the early life of artist Leonardo da Vinci. David S. Goyer, co-writer of “Batman Begins” and “The Dark Knight,” is writing the historical fantasy series.

Starz describes the show as “the ‘untold’ story of the world’s greatest genius during his turbulent youth in Renaissance Florence. Brilliant and passionate, the 25-year-old Leonardo da Vinci is an artist, inventor, swordsman, lover, dreamer and idealist.”

Da Vinci will be played by Tom Riley (“Monroe,” “I Want Candy”) and British actress Laura Haddock will play Lucrezia Donati, the mistress of Lorenzo Medici and lover of da Vinci.

Production began this summer, and the eight-episode first season of “Da Vinci’s Demons” is set to premiere spring 2013.